Good morning. The weather has again been very patchy this week but there has been plenty to see nonetheless:
Starting where I left off on Saturday, a total of five cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint. This included a family of four and another single bird. I went up to the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime and spotted a peregrine perched up in West Wood.
Local birder Paul saw a brambling near the visitor centre and two female goosanders on the river near Joist Fen viewpoint. He also saw a green sandpiper in the same area.
I went up to the Washland viewpoint late afternoon and spotted a barn owl hunting in the distance. A group of seven whooper swans also flew in while I was up there.
Warden Emma and volunteer Paul did the WeBs count on Sunday morning. They saw three little grebes on the river and a jack snipe down the far end of the reserve.
Meanwhile, closer to the visitor centre, a brambling was on the visitor centre feeders along with two smart male siskins. I saw 56 teals on the washland during the afternoon and two common snipe flew over the visitor centre.
A family of four cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint on Monday and a great white egret was seen in the same area. In the afternoon, volunteer John counted at least 120 whooper swans in front of the Washland viewpoint.
Emma took volunteers John and Nigel down the far end of the reserve on Tuesday afternoon. They saw a smart male hen harrier so it is good to know that there is still at least one around.
Sadly, the weather wasn't very good yesterday. However, Suzanne went for a walk early in the day and saw two common buzzards over Brandon Fen.
I had a pleasant surprise as I drove in this morning: A barn owl was hunting in front of the visitor centre as I drove down our staff track.
I went and had a quick look from the Washland viewpoint and counted at least 26 whooper swans. A water pipit flew up near the Washland viewpoint and a female marsh harrier was hunting along the river.
I took this photo, mainly to show how dull the light was...:
...In comparison to this photograph that I took of the visitor centre pond a couple of hours later:
Image credits: David White
Volunteer Steve went up to the Washland viewpoint mid-morning and saw a common buzzard. He also saw a kingfisher fishing in the river.
Just before I go, here are a couple of notices:
Firstly, the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is still extremely muddy. Wellies are currently essential to negotiate this path at present. All of the other paths are currently fine surface wise but please note the following:
Secondly, the western path of the the interior path around New Fen North, the first area of reedbed is still closed due to storm damage. The southern section of the Trial Wood trail is also still closed. Please ask on arrival for more information.
Thirdly, there are still several places available on our annual "Winter ramble in the Fens" guided walk on Sunday 4 February, 9.30am-3pm. This 10 kilometre guided walk visits parts of the reserve that aren't usually open to the public so this is your chance to see behind the scenes. If you are interested in coming along, please follow this link for more information about how to book your place.
We hope to see you soon!